Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Vona, CO

What it is, How it works

Hair testing is increasingly acknowledged as a robust method for identifying drug and alcohol use. Hair offers an extended-term record of alcohol and other substances by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the developing hair strand. When cut near the scalp, hair can reveal up to roughly a 3-month detection span for alcohol and other drugs. Collection is straightforward, tampering is challenging, and shipping is hassle-free.

A 1.5-inch segment consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (similar to the width of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for screening and confirmation. For EtG, add-ons, and tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is advised. We advocate measuring the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is not an option, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be utilized. By head hair, we mean scalp hair specifically. Body hair pertains to all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The key stages in the lab processing of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning encompasses the introductory processing of a sample into a laboratory’s framework. This process involves ensuring the sample was sealed and dispatched correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fulfilling any additional data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening comprises a preliminary swift evaluation for drugs of abuse. While Screening is a cost-efficient method to dismiss drug use on most samples, a positive screen requires affirmation to be valid in a legal context. Any samples that yield a presumptive positive during Screening necessitate a secondary confirmation.

If a sample presents a presumptive positive during the Screening phase, additional hair is extracted from the original specimen and set for Extraction. In this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at a significantly lower concentration compared to other means (ex. urine or oral fluid), which explains why hair drug screening is the most complex methodology to execute.

Confirmation of any positive screening result is executed via GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as required. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is overseen under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Extended detection span: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage for as long as 90 days, unlike urine tests which have a reduced detection window.
• Challenge to manipulate: It is exceedingly challenging to manipulate a hair drug test, ensuring more precise results.
• Offers historical insight: It can convey a timeline of drug use over an interval, rather than just recent consumption.

Limitations:

• Cannot identify recent intake: It requires roughly 5-7 days for drugs to become detectable in hair.
• Expense: Hair drug tests typically cost more than other drug testing formats.
• Result variability: Attributes such as hair color and individual differences in hair growth can influence the concentration of drug metabolites in the hair.

Note: Though frequently termed as "hair follicle tests", the examination itself evaluates the hair strand and not the hair follicle beneath the scalp

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Vona, CO, hair follicle testing outshines urine testing. The exceptional detection accuracy and reliability make it a superior choice. While urine tests only capture recent usage, hair testing discloses a comprehensive view, significantly enhancing detection capabilities in the workplace.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Vona, CO, offers an extended detection period of up to 90 days, enabling a detailed assessment of a person’s substance use history. This advantage equips employers with valuable insights into an individual's long-term behavior, supporting informed decision-making.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

Hair follicle testing in Vona, CO, provides a tamper-resistant solution. Its design makes altering samples nearly impossible, guaranteeing reliable and uncontestable results. This integrity brings confidence to employers seeking trustworthy drug-testing practices.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

With convenient testing centers across the nation, including those in Vona, CO, access to hair follicle drug testing is hassle-free and swift. This network allows both employers and employees to experience a seamless testing process, no matter their location.

Simple, Confidential Process

The hair follicle testing process in Vona, CO, is designed for simplicity and privacy. From ordering to sample collection, every step ensures confidentiality, keeping the user’s peace of mind and ease of use as top priorities.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

Offering competitive pricing and swift result delivery, hair follicle drug testing in Vona, CO, is an affordable choice for businesses. Its economic structure allows companies to enjoy outstanding value and rapid turnarounds, benefiting operations of any size.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

Hair follicle drug testing in Vona, CO, promises fast, reliable results. Its accuracy in detecting substance use supersedes other methods, ensuring a precise evaluation. Employers can trust the efficiency of these tests to provide evidence-supported outcomes that are both quick and trustworthy.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

Adopting hair follicle testing in Vona, CO ensures company compliance with drug-free workplace requirements, mitigating legal risks and fostering a safer working environment. Businesses can operate with peace of mind, knowing their policies are enforced effectively.

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What's New In Hair Follicle Drug Testing according to the Hair Drug Testing Experts

With its multidisciplinary nature, hair testing brings together researchers, scientists, and experts from various domains to develop innovative techniques, explore new methodologies, and address emerging concerns, responding to the ever-evolving challenges of drug abuse, therapeutic drug monitoring, and environmental exposures to pollutants.

The joint meeting of the Society of Hair Testing (SoHT) and the Italian Group of Forensic Toxicologists (GTFI) was organized in Verona, June 8–10, 2022, and hosted by the Legal Medicine team of the Verona University Hospital, directed by Franco Tagliaro together with Federica Bortolotti and Rossella Gottardo.

It served as a prominent platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration, facilitating groundbreaking advancements in hair testing and analysis. In this special issue of Drug Testing and Analysis, we aim to showcase the remarkable manuscripts presented at this significant event, shedding light on the latest research and highlighting the future directions in this field.

Novel Analytical Techniques: The Verona meeting witnessed the unveiling of cutting-edge analytical techniques, offering enhanced sensitivity, selectivity, and accuracy for drug testing. Remarkable advancements in sample preparation, detection, and identification of drug compounds have been presented. The manuscripts in this section presented novel approaches, such as multianalyte methods and on-line preparation which can enable rapid analysis and improve thorough forensic investigations.

Biomarkers and Pharmacokinetics: The identification and validation of reliable biomarkers and pharmacokinetic studies are fundamental aspects of drug testing and analysis. The impact of hair treatments on the oxidation/decomposition of drugs in hair was also explored, as the long-term fate of drugs incorporated in the keratin matrix. Furthermore, the SoHT meeting in Verona featured research on the identification and quantification of alcohol abuse biomarkers, their stability, and their correlation with exposure and other biomarkers.

Forensic Applications and Interpretation: One of the vital objectives of hair testing is its application in forensic investigations and legal proceedings. The SoHT meeting in Verona emphasized the significance of rigorous interpretation of analytical results and the need for standardized protocols. Manuscripts in this section present advancements in forensic toxicology, and have explored the challenges posed by emerging designer drugs and strategies to combat their proliferation. The pitfalls encountered when the exogenous/endogenous nature of a substance is questioned were presented and discussed. The special issue presents also manuscripts that delve into the ethical implications of drug testing in drug facilitated sexual assaults.

Clinical Applications of hair testing are witnessed by the insight on environmental tobacco smoke exposure, assessed by hair analysis in a population of students and the study of in utero-exposure to drugs of abuse through neonatal hair analysis. Exposure to drugs was also important in cases of child abuse/neglect, when the clinical purpose of hair testing merge with its forensic applications.

The legal framework surrounding hair testing and the achievement of guidelines to ensure fairness, accuracy, and confidentiality in drug testing practices have also been discussed,and the SoHT consensus on general hair testing and testing for drugs of abuse was presented at the meeting and published as a Letter to the Editor.

In conclusion, the special issue of Drug Testing and Analysis, featuring manuscripts from the SoHT–GTFI meeting in Verona 2022, reflects the remarkable advancements achieved in this field. The manuscripts provide valuable insights into novel analytical techniques, biomarkers, pharmacokinetics, forensic applications, and ethical considerations. As we embrace these advancements, we pave the way for a safer, healthier society, where drug testing and analysis serve as powerful tools in protecting public health and maintaining integrity in various sectors. The research presented in this special issue will undoubtedly shape the future of drug testing and analysis, fostering collaboration and inspiring further innovation in this crucial area of scientific inquiry.

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